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Seems like, whether you play Tri Nations, Super Rugby, Currie Cup or even Vodacom Cup, it’s always difficult for the visiting team to come and beat you in your own back yard.

This was definitely the case last night when the EP Kings travelled to George to face the SWD Eagles in their Vodacom Cup clash.

The Kings were on fire from the kick off and camped for the first 7min on the Eagles try line after an early inside pass to Andile Witbooi, who was stopped just 5m from the Eagles goal line. The outcome was a Justin Van Staden penalty 3-0 to the Kings.

With only their second time in the Kings 22 the Eagles scored their 1st try through Kempie Rautenbach with quick ball from the ruck giving the Eagles a 3man overlap.

A few exchanged penalties were the only action for the remainder of the half, with the teams going into the changing room 10-9 in favour of the Eagles.

One can be sure some harsh words were given to the Kings at the break, because they started the second half like the first with another Van Staden penalty after some solid attacking play from the Kings.

After a converted try by Norman Nelson taking the score to 19-10, it looked like the Kings were taking control of the game and would have a comfortable win in the end.

But after a Becker penalty the Eagles hit back with a try of their own through their scrumhalf Mzo Dyantyi, conversion missed by Becker, the Eagles were trailing by 1 point 19-18.

Van Staden added another penalty to bring the score to 22-18, then Clint Wagman who looked dangerous the whole evening scored a brilliant try breaking through a couple of tackles and Becker adding the 2 to bring the score to 22-25 in favour of the Eagles.

The game looked pretty much over for the Kings with about 2min to go when Frank Herne ran a straight line and managed to hold on to a slight pop pass from SP Marais with a good 40m to get to the try line, after being tackled just short of the line his momentum took him over and the try was referred to the TMO, outcome, try Herne conversion missed by Falie Oelshig.

The Eagles looked good on attack with players running on to the ball with pace and Rautenbach and Wagman kept the Kings backline on their toes.

Kings made it difficult for themselves with poor defence and decision making on the night, Conraad Brits had a strong game and SP Marais looked good when he came on after recovering from an injury that kept him on the side line, Van Staden also had a good night with the boot, kicking 6 from 6.

Finale score SWD Eagles 25 EP Kings 27

The win takes the Kings to the top of the log (South Section), with WP and the Sharks still having to play their games.